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Added news to , Impeachment

The Senate on Friday rejected a measure to call witnesses in President Trump’s impeachment trial after Republicans argued new testimony is unnecessary, ensuring the trial will be the first in U.S. history without witnesses. 

Prior to the votes, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., said that he would not partake in breaking ties.“I think it would be inappropriate for me, an unelected official from a different branch of government to assert the power to change that result so that the motion would succeed,” Roberts said.

Senate leaders struck an agreement to hold the final vote to acquit Trump on the two articles of impeachment at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, following a debate throughout the day on Friday about how to bring the trial to a close. The impeachment trial will resume on Monday.

The Senate is now expected to vote to acquit President Donald Trump, one day after the president delivers his State of the Union address to Congress. 

Closing arguments will begin Monday morning, under a resolution adopted by the chamber. Senators plan to vote Wednesday on the two impeachment charges against Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.